macca888

I am not a Shearer hater at all. I quite like the bloke for the loyalty he has shown to the club over the years. I just dont think he will make a particularly good manager and I certainly am 100% against him taking over permanently at SJP because we need a seasoned and experienced professional to stabilise the club over a reasonable period. Shearer is just too much of a risk.

Luque for us Any mackem

Skirge Guess there must have been a delay in casualty due to all the new years eve drunks from the quayside, mate?

yep, I think Capello will take him possibly as a Ball boy or a drinks bottle carrier

Portsmouth are just one of a number of clubs in the PL currently struggling. Expect to see Hull City and West Ham follow them into financial meltdown soon. There will be firesales galore next summer and you omly have to look at the difficulties Liverpool are currently in. I personally think that it will not be long before there is a mass breakaway by europes richest clubs to formulate this euro superleague and the PL will lose the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U and City. I know it has been touted for long enough now but worldwide finances is seeing the rich get richer and lesser teams getting poorer just to keep up. In the PL, it is no longer about winning trophies or qualifying for europe but more survival so teams can collect TV money.

I read this too but I cannot see it happening. Maybe GG can shed some light on this

Agreed about the player motivation factor but how many goals did we score in those last 8 games and how many did the front three get? As far as I can recall, Martins got 1 and Owen and Viduka didnt get any. Against teams like Portsmouth and Fulham at home, I would have expected goals from these players. I remember several bad misses and Viduka a bit unfortunate to have one chalked off against Fulham, but that was it. Hell, we were even lucky Carroll scored at Stoke. I am sorry but he failed to convince me that he has the tactical know how at premiership level.

So, Skirge Any news on this medical yet?

Shearer failed dismally by not achieving the results required against very ordinary teams ike Fulham and Portsmouth at home during that 8 games stint. The fact he seemed unable to motivate the likes of Owen, Viduka and Martins to show much of an attacking threat in those games says it all. The fact he could not motivate the players at Villa in the last game of the season to show any sort of backbone to fight for the club also says it all for me. Shearer needs to learn his trade elsewhere first rather than being put to the test with us. If Hughton fails, we need a manager with experience like a Roy Hodgson to stabilise us rather an egocentric wannabee like Shearer.

Personally, Bolton can have him. I would much rather have Speed as our manager than Shearer. In my opinion, Shearer does not have the managerial ability, tactical know how to match his ever growing ego to cut the mustard with the likes of the top managers in our game. That was well and truly proven last season.

By my calculations, we will gain automatic promotion with 90 points. So far, we have 51 from 24 games which means we need to achieve 39 from the remaining 22 games. We have the quality already to achieve promotion especially if we purchase a goalscorer and a decent cover in defence. I agree with attempts to buy Beckford and Killgallon and think we should sign Simpson too. The return of Barton, playing in the centre of midfield would be the creative boost we need. 12 wins and 3 draws from the remaining 22 games is highly achievable, especially if 2 of those wins are against Forest and WBA at home.

Happy New Year to all my colleagues on NUFC Online from Melbourne Australia Good luck and good hunting and hopefully, I will be watching PL football at NUFC next christmas when I come over.

Over to you Skirge?

I have some observations which some may agree with. Firstly, Boyd is not a bad goal poacher at the level he plays at but it is noticeable that his goals return against top teams in the SPL and in europe is exceptionally low. He is a low level championship forward at best, somewhere in the mould of Reading or Peterbrough. I doubt at all if he could cut the mustard in the PL. Secondly, Harewood may do a job in helping us get up. He has come into a bit of form recently but what do you do with him once the season is over and we are back in the PL. His record there is not brilliant and as he is unwanted by Villa or any other PL team for that matter, leads you to believe his days are numbered, especially at his age. Thirdly, I wouldnt even consider Chopra. He is a championship forward at best and has proven in the past that he is limited at PL level. Finally, Beckford is an unknown quality at our and PL levels. However, he is quick, has a knack of scoring vital goals and at a relatively low outlay, worth the risk on improving once we go up. He could end up being the new Andy Cole for us but I am sure that if he failed, we could get most of our money back from another team in the championship so imo, he is worth the risk above all other options in this list.

Skirge Hope you are right on this one. Give Marley a smacko Whacko from me if you are.

Hughton to carry on regardless but if it all goes tits up and Huddersfield continue to impress, I can see Lee Clark getting the job in a year or two.

Love the fans or not, he wont come back and we wont sign him for several reasons: We wouldnt spend the money City wants. He is over 30 now He admits himself recently that injuries are finally catching up with him and he probably only has two more seasons in him

Skirge Hmm, they will knock it back and this saga is likely to go until Jan 31 when Middlesbrough sign him and we are running around at the last minute trying to sign some has been journeyman on loan. Mate, the Sun says it all. Not exactly the most reliable newspaper in the world.

Hipho From what I have seen of the lads Ranger and Kadar, they are both capable enough at this level. Ranger looked more dangerous in the 10 minutes he was on the other night than any of the other strikers. If we dont play them, we run the risk of losing them. Both lads have the ability, they just need the manager to show the belief in them. I am a big believer in the youth been given a chance. Remember Rooney anyone? Michael Owen?

Skirge More to the point, how do you know? or has Marley being rousting the bitches in the Leeds area recently?

I think a lot will depend on whether Hughton is able to sign the striker he wants permanently in January. Hopwever, if not, he may go back for Harewood but it could be too late if other champioinship sides accept Villa's terms. Personally, I would rather Ranger given a chance as I have already said on this thread. In the 10 minutes he got against derby, he looked dangerous and playing alongside Shola, a reasonable partnership in the offing. I thought he was unlucky with his chance because the save was pure reaction with a huge element of luck about it. To get that opportunity on target from such an angle was class. Furthermore, I feel Ranger is the future whilst Harewood is the stop gap and we really should start preparing for the PL in January rather than waiting till the summer.

Another interesting point here and possibly an indication of transfer news is if Beckford and Kilgallon are selected for the respective teams in the FA Cup this weekend.

I'm with Dave here. I expect a draw and give them a good scudding, 1-0 at home in the replay.

No competition, in my opinion. Chopra would not really be welcomed back and is mediocre at best. He is not a premiership player plus he would cost too much from Cardiff. Boyd is a goal poacher but if you look at his record against the top clubs in Scotland, particularly, Celtic, it isnt very good. The majority of his goals are scored against the much weaker teams therefore I dont see him doing the business aganst the likes of WBA, Forest etc. He also lacks pace with is something we already have with Shola and Carroll. Beckford would certainly be an interesting choice. He is also a poacher although unproven at a higher level than league one. However, Andy Cole and many others over the years strarted their careers in the lower leagues and flourished when given the opportunity at a higher level. Beckford has the potential to do this and the added bonus of his pace would be welcomed. As he is at the end of his contract, he would certainly be cheaper than what Bates is quoting, possibly as low as a million quid. Like it or not, Leeds still need the money and may not have any other optioin but to sell in January.

N